I did the hobbing the way some others are doing it - with a 3mm tap. I cut a 60 degree groove. You absolutely have to mount the shaft between 2 decent bearings and they must rotate with total freedom. The shaft should turn itself slowly by virtue of the taps' "winding force" on it. Run the power drill at a slower speed too. As I said Simon, I will test mine when my build is finished (soon I hopeby waitaki - New Zealand RepRap User Group
I see some people use mirrors. I guess that's just for window dressing?by waitaki - New Zealand RepRap User Group
Looking around the Reprap world, it seems there are a few different flavours of hobbed bolts. By this I mean there are several different profiles ranging from non grooved (knurled bolts) to deep cavity ones. I decided to explore this at the weekend. My first bolt, bought from Mitre10 had a shank (the smooth bit) that measured 7.5mm in diameter - you get what you pay for I guess! Anyway,I made aby waitaki - New Zealand RepRap User Group
Hey Wired, how did you tell how thick the glass was before you bought it? In fact, how thick is yours? ALby waitaki - New Zealand RepRap User Group
Wow, thanks for the insight guys - I think that's made the job simpler then.by waitaki - New Zealand RepRap User Group
What type of glass are you guys using? What thickness? Does cheap and cheerful work as good as expensive tempered stufff? ALby waitaki - New Zealand RepRap User Group
That's interesting Oatridge. I buy a lot from China and LM's were on my list anyway.by waitaki - New Zealand RepRap User Group
Check this out guys... (Amusing how they selected the worst possible print for comparison!)by waitaki - New Zealand RepRap User Group
Hi Oatridge, Were those LM8's imports from China? Thanksby waitaki - New Zealand RepRap User Group
Err sorry for the confusion, it is just a Prusa Mendel. (P for short -or Lazy me!)by waitaki - New Zealand RepRap User Group
Yes, it's true they have no bearing on print quality but I assume Home position has to be accurate cos' everything starts from there. The reason I mentioned reed switches is because I have a bunch lying around and may save me a few dollars.by waitaki - New Zealand RepRap User Group
..not the usual two suspects but reed switches? I have a bunch of glass encapsulated miniature reed switches from a few years ago and just wondered how effective they might be. First consideration for me would be resolution - something on a par with u-switches and sensors would be needed. I will probably run some tests using rare earth magnets when I get the electronics done. Has anyone used themby waitaki - New Zealand RepRap User Group
Has anyone with a P-Mendel actually measured their build height? I ask because while I was machining a hot end for my build it occurred to me that it's not just the height of the platform which dictates build height but how far the brass nozzle sticks down from the x carriage. Alanby waitaki - New Zealand RepRap User Group
That's an amazing looking build you've got there - so clean cut too!by waitaki - New Zealand RepRap User Group
Well, I live in the home of steampunk so maybe that's a good idea. We could build a giant Reprap, about 10 metres high with filament as thick as a ships' rope and stepper motors made from a container ships engines. Gotta be done!><by waitaki - New Zealand RepRap User Group
Thanks for the comments guys, I just hope it all works at the end of the day! Bert,no CNC machine sadly. I actually started it a different shape but gradually changed it to what I thought looked right. I have 2 routers so making it wasn't too tricky. I already have ideas for another style of frame but I don't wanna get ahead of myself! Nice ideas Wired, maybe knock one up out of an an old palletby waitaki - New Zealand RepRap User Group
Hi Guys, I've attached a couple of pics of where I'm at with the build currently. Still plenty to go yet but hopefully more bits will arrive soon.by waitaki - New Zealand RepRap User Group
OK, sure, will have a go at uploading tomorrow. And thanks for the welcome - another nutcase on board! Cheersby waitaki - New Zealand RepRap User Group
Hi Guys, Greetings from the Waitaki Valley (well, the Oamaru bit anyway). To be honest, I'd never heard of Reprap until about 6 weeks ago but having discovered it, I'm well into it now . Odd thing is, I don't know how I came to stumble upon it in the first place - that's Google for ya! Anyway, Vik Olliver kindly donated some unwanted parts and printed up the the x ends which Iby waitaki - New Zealand RepRap User Group